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Posted On: 27 December 2021 06:00 pm
Updated On: 31 May 2023 01:25 pm

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food

Nabeela
Nabeela
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Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food

If you've been in Qatar for a while, you probably know that the country has some great and delicious traditional dishes like Machboos, Harees, Madrouba, Thareed, Luqaimat, and many more.

There are also many restaurants here in Qatar where you can savour traditional and authentic Qatari cuisine. The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has listed some of them here in alphabetical order.

Al Manchab

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Al Manchab

'Al Manchab' though not used commonly in the present day, means a 'wooden utensil used to serve food', and is used as a verb: 'to prepare food for serving'. This is exactly what Al Manchab does; it provides a genuine Qatari experience with its traditional food and the kind of hospitality Qatar is famous for. It's a fine dining restaurant where Qatari cuisine, traditions and culture are on full display.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Chicken Balaleel Rice, Lamb Machboos, Prawn Saloona, Chicken Maglooba
  • Timing:
    • Saturday to Thursday: 9 am - 11 pm
    • Friday: 1 pm - 11 pm
  • Location: Al Hazm Mall, Al Markhiya Street, Al Markhiya
  • Tel: +974 4441 1471
  • Mob: +974 3363 4449
  • Website: www.almanchab.com
  • Instagram: @almanchab

Basta Qatar

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Basta Qatar

Basta Qatar has a unique Arabian inspired retro decor that adds to the ambience of this fine dining Qatari restaurant where you'll find plenty of delicious Qatari dishes served with a little twist that brings out the flavour and leaves you wanting more.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Bakhura, Marget Jadeti, Mal Awal, Sheikh Al Freej, Majboos Aboy Al Aoud, Khabesa
  • Timing: 7 days a week: 10 am - 11:30 pm
  • Locations:
    • Mall of Qatar: First Floor, Mall of Qatar, Al Gharafa. Tel: +974 5000 1688
    • The Pearl - Qatar: 29 La Croisette, Porto Arabia. Tel: +974 5000 2755
    • Souq Waqif: Tel: +974 5000 2664
  • Facebook: @Basta.Qatar
  • Instagram: @basta.qatar

Belkhams

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Belkhams

Belkhams is a traditional Qatari restaurant where you will easily find some of Qatar's most authentic food. Chef Jassim Abdullah is the mastermind behind Belkhams and these traditional dishes. He operates from his villa and his food can be ordered from talabat and other food delivery apps.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Chicken White Machboos, Meat Badawi Machboos, Short Ribs Machboos, Prawn Machboos
  • Timing: 7 days a week: 11 am - 9:30 am
  • Mob/WhatsApp (to order): +974 5011 7011
  • Instagram: @bel5ams

Desert Rose Cafe

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Desert Rose Doha

Desert Rose Cafe offers Qatari fusion cuisine by Chef Nouf Al Marri, who is one of Qatar's best-known chefs. Located in the National Museum of Qatar, the Desert Rose Cafe serves contemporary local cuisine in a unique setting that's drawn inspiration from the naturally occurring desert rose that can be found in the deserts of Qatar.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Chef Noof Madrouba, Chicken Majbous, Rekak Labneh, Nakhe
  • Timing:
    • Saturday to Wednesday: 9 am - 7 pm
    • Thursday and Friday: 9 am - 8 pm
  • Location: Ground Floor, National Museum of Qatar
  • Tel: +974 4452 5725
  • Instagram: @desertrosedoha

Feeh Al Aafia

qatar food places doha qatar
Image credit: Feeh Al Aafia

Want to eat local food in a traditional setting that showcases Qatari and Khaleeji culture? Be sure to check out Feeh Al Aafia! This two-storey, exquisite fine dining restaurant includes lounges, halls and courtyards, corridors, open dining areas, personalized majlises, and a spacious multi-purpose event hall to cater events, conferences, and private gatherings too!

  • Must-try dishes: Arabic Meat Mandy, Okra With Meat, Dhal, Harees, Madrouba
  • Timing: 12 pm to 11 pm
  • Location: Katara - Building 3
  • Tel: +974 4408 1600
  • Website: https://akh.com.qa/brands/feeh-al-aafia/
  • Instagram: @feeh.alaafia

Gahwetna

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit Gahwetna

Gahwetna is a Qatari coffee shop where you can sit and enjoy traditional meals and quick bites or grab and go. Its decor is souq-like and it's been designed in true Qatari style with authentic dishes on its menu that come with a little twist.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Gahwetna Fattah, Moutaktak Nakhi, Egg Mozaatar, Msaga’a Jedr, Balaleet
  • Timing:
    • Saturday to Wednesday: 8 am - 12 am (midnight)
    • Thursday: 8 am - 2 am
    • Friday: 8 am - 11 am, 12:30 pm - 1 am
  • Location: Unit 121A, Building 6, Plaza Andalucia Way, Medina Centrale, The Pearl - Qatar
  • Mob: +974 3329 0600
  • Website: https://gahwetnaqatar.com
  • Facebook: @GahwetnaQA
  • Instagram: @gahwetnaqa

Homemade food in Souq Waqif

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Khadiza Begum

When visiting Souq Waqif, you cannot miss the local women cooking and selling delicious authentic Arab dishes like Machboos, Mathroba, Harees, Luqaimat, and Koushari. They also make Rogag (a type of crepe stuffed with Cheese, Chips Oman or Nutella) right in front of you. This is one of the best places in Doha to experience home-cooked Qatari food.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Harees, Regag, Mathrooba, Machboos, Balaleel, Luqaimat
  • Timing:
    • Saturday to Thursday: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm - 10 pm
    • Friday: 4 pm - 10 pm
  • Location: Open area, near Jasmine Thai Restaurant, Souq Waqif

Jiwan

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Imag credit: Jiwan Restaurant

Jiwan has been named after the Arabic word meaning the ‘perfect pearl’ and this has worked itself into the interior of the restaurant located in the National Museum of Qatar. The restaurant showcases Qatari cuisine at its best. When are you going?

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Jiwan Harees, Cumin Madroba, Chicken Salona, Tender Lamb Shoulder, Exotic Fruit Mahalabia
  • Timings: Saturday to Wednesday: 12 pm - 5 pm (only lunch and afternoon tea)
  • Location: 4th Floor, National Museum of Qatar, Corniche Street
  • Tel : +974 4452 5725
  • Website: http://jiwan.qa/
  • Facebook: @JiwanRestaurant
  • Instagram: @jiwanrestaurant

Karaki Qatar

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Karaki Qatar

Karaki is an exquisite Qatari tea lounge that's sticking to its roots and serving loqaimat which is Qatari sweet. With the tea lounge's friendly and authentic identity that's been taken from various local architectural and cultural elements, you'll truly feel like you're in a Qatari home.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Loqimat Mix, Arabic Coffee, Sahlab with Kaak, Karak Saffron
  • Timings: 7 days a week: 24 hours
  • Locations:
    • The Pearl - Qatar: Building B12, Andalucia Way, Madina Centrale, The Pearl - Qatar. Tel: +974 4437 8477
    • Al Khor: Baladna Farm, Al Khor. Tel: +974 5000 1488
  • Facebook: @KarakiQatar
  • Instagram: @karakiqatar

Karak Mqanes

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Karak Mqanes

Karak Mqanes believes in preserving Qatari traditions and culture through the local food it serves. The recipes have been passed down by their mothers and grandmothers, so you can get the true taste of Qatari cuisine in a restaurant that's easy on the pocket as well.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Loqimat, Karak Saffron, Lamb Magbous Barri, Sweet Al Jassasiya With Pistachio, Sweet Alghaf
  • Timings: 7 days a week
  • Location: All over Qatar
  • Tel: +974 4182 1527
  • WhatsApp: +974 3377 7929
  • Facebook: @karak.mqanes
  • Instagram: @karakmqanes

Nassayem Qatar

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Nassayem Qatar at The Diplomatic Club

Nassayem Qatar is well-known because of its signature Qatari dishes. This fine-dining restaurant at The Diplomatic Club gives a unique take on traditional Qatari dishes and serves it in style so you can enjoy the presentation and the taste that is authentically local.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Mashkhoul, Makbous, Kors Eigely With Khanfarouch Ice Cream, Jareesh and Dates Pudding
  • Timings: 7 days a week: 8 am - 11 pm
  • Location: The Diplomatic Club; Al Istiqlal Street
  • Tel : +974 4484 7470 / +974 4484 7444
  • Website: https://www.thediplomaticclub.com/

Opus at Park Hyatt Doha

Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
Image credit: Opus Doha

Park Hyatt Doha's Opus is a composition by Michelin Star Chef Jean-Francois Roquette and is well known for its food that's prepared in an open kitchen and served sharing-style straight to the table just like traditional Qatari food is served. You can dine inside or on the outside terrace.

Details

  • Must-try dishes: Slow Cooked Lamb Majboos, Braised Lamb Majboos, Lamb Shank Margooga, Mouhalabia
  • Timings: 7 days a week: 6:30 am - 11 am (breakfast); 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm (lunch); 7 pm - 10 pm (dinner)
  • Location: Park Hyatt Doha, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Msheireb Downtown
  • Tel: +974 4009 4330
  • Instagram: @opusdoha

      Saasna

      Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
      Image credit: Saasna

      The word 'saasna' has been derived from the Arabic word 'asaasna' meaning 'origins'. Saasna is a modern and authentic Qatari fine dining restaurant that serves the best of Qatari food that's 100% traditional, with a modern twist, in a contemporary setting.

      Details

      • Must-try dishes: Baddawi, Qasheed, Fish Salouna, Chicken Madrouba, Mhalbea, Khabis, Balalit
      • Timing: 7 days a week: 8 am - 1 pm (breakfast), 1 pm - 10:30 pm (lunch to dinner)
      • Location: Barahat Msheireb, Msheireb Downtown
      • Tel: +974 4038 1081
      • Mob: +974 5519 7131
      • Website: http://saasnaqatar.com
      • Facebook: @saasnaqatar
      • Instagram: @saasnaqatar

      SMAT Restaurant

      Places in Qatar where you'll find authentic Qatari Food
      Image credit: SMAT Restaurant

      SMAT means ‘dining table’ in the Khaleeji dialect of Arabic. SMAT Restaurant is a unique restaurant, originally based in Kuwait, that serves signature local Qatari dishes with a contemporary twist to them here in Doha and offers a distinct taste and texture of Qatari cuisine that you must try.

      Details

      • Must-try dishes: Majbous Al Shouyoukh, Royal Yogurt Tharid, Sea Bass Jalbout Fish, Harees Mnahnah
      • Timing: 7 days a week: 8 am - 12:30 am
      • Location: Second floor, above Orient Pearl Restaurant, Near Ras Abu Aboud Signal, Corniche Street
      • Tel: +974 4410 6600
      • Mob: +974 6666 4448
      • Facebook: @SMATrestaurant
      • Instagram: @smatrestaurant

      Um Abdelaziz

      https://www.facebook.com/SMATrestaurant/photos/a.904840643038197/1931449437043974/
      Image credit Zomato

      Um Abdelaziz is located in Souq Waqif and stands out because of its outside majlis-style and coloured seating area. You can't miss it; it's usually very busy because it serves authentic and traditional Qatari meals and snacks at a reasonable price.

      Details

      • Must-try dishes: Harees, Nakki, Khabees, Margogah, Luqaimat, Khanfaroosh
      • Timing: 7 days a week: 4 pm - 12 am
      • Location: Souq Waqif
      • Mob: +974 5550 9809

      Shay Al Shomous

      https://www.facebook.com/SMATrestaurant/photos/a.904840643038197/1931449437043974/
      Image credit: Shay Al Shamous

      Shay Al Shomous is an eatery owned by a Qatari lady and the food is as authentically local as it can get. Though it's a small place, it's always busy because the food is great and the prices are reasonable.

      Details

      • Must-try dishes: Meat Regag, Margoga, Asida, Saago, Baleelat
      • Timing: 7 days a week: 8 am - 1 pm; 6 pm - 10 pm
        Location: Abdullah bin Jassim Street, Souq Waqif, Doha - Qatar
      • Tel: +974 4444 2824 / +974 5551 5561
      • Mob: +974 6676 5588
      • Instagram: @shay_alshomous

      RELATED: 16 must-try food when you visit Qatar

      Cover image: Qatari Restaurants in Qatar